Telephone pay-station.



G. CHRISTIAN.

TELEPHONE PAY STATION.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9. I9! I.

Patented. June 1, 1915.

4 SHEETSS'HEET I.

IIVVENTOR WITNESSES.

G. CHRISTIAN.

TELEPHONE PAY STATION.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, i911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- IIEVVEAI r01? \5 \I Q. W. Y 0. m. A TTOH/VEY @MMQ? QM WITNESSES. %W

dwwwb (3. CHRISTIAN.

TELEPHONE PAY STATION.

Arr-ucmmu FILED SEPT. 9. i911 4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

WITNESSES.-

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G CHRISTIAN TELEPHONE PAY STATION APPLHJAHUN FILED SEPT. 9, 191 I.

Patented J 11110 1, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 l/Vl/ENTOR GILBEBH. GHBISTIAN, GF-DE'IROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 1E0 THE-WILGKE-A RMSTBQNG CDMBA-NY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORCEQRATI ON QF MICHIG AH. I

ant-amour ran-STATION.

inansce.

Specifieation of Hatters Patent.

Patented ED111811, 1 915.

To all whom it may cone-5m;

Be it known that 'I, GILBERT ,QHBISTIAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Detroit, county of Wayne, and Stateof Michigan, have invented a new and Improved TelephonejPay-Station, of wh1ch the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for receiving the toll coins of pay-station telephones, and its object is to provide means for separating the imperfect or worthless metal disks from good coins; to provide elec trically operated'means for producing a $15- nal to be transmitted to the operator at t e central station to indicate that the pro er coin has been deposited; and to provide e ectric circuits and connections whereby signals will be produced by a current passing over the wires from a common battery located at the central station, .or from a separate battery located atthe subscribers station.

Inthe accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of an ordinary telephone 1nstrument and the coin detectors and signaling mechanism, the cover of the case containing the detectors and signals being removed. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. F 1g. 3 1s an elevation of the signaling device. Fig. l is a side View of the detectors with the cover plates removed. Figs. 5, Band? are views of the opposite sides of, detectors for difierent coins Withtheir cover plates removed. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a section of thecoin separating device on the line.9-9 of 1. 10'is an elevationof the same taken from the left in Fig. v1. Fig. 11 is an elevationof the coin .weighingfdevice. Fig. 12 is a section on the line 1212 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a diagram of circuits which may be employed with this device. Fig. 14 is a. section on the line 1414 of Fig. 1.' .Fig. 15 is a diagram of 'a local battery. circuit which may be emplo ed.

imilar reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

a The calling instrument in Fig.13lett ered A and the called instrument B, the line conductors, relays, and lam s, and the central oflice circuits may be 0 any desired constructions, that shown being used merely to illustrate the manner of connectingand operat' the improved device. Any desired type of telephone nstrument may be e'mthe current travels the following path from ,of the spring jack,

ployed, that shown in Fig. -1 being selected merely to nd cate how the device may be .mounted.

The line conductors 1 and 2 connect to the sprlngqacks 3-4 on the switchboard and are extended, 1, through the relay 6, contact. 9, conductors 38 and 16 to the pole 18 of the current source D; and 2 is extended through relay 7, contact 10, the winding of the magnet 11, and conductor 15 to the pole 19 ofjthe same current source. 'When the current passes u on the closing of the switch at the. lifting o the receiver hook, the magnetll is excited, it acts on the relay 14 which closes the circuit through the lamp '12 thus signaling-the operator. When the connection is made between thetelephones A and B,

the telephone A: from the ole 19 through ,the circuits 20 and 21, relay 22 to circuit 23,

sleeve 24 of the plug, test ring 5,-wire 25,

aroundmagnet 8, through wire 38, wire 16 to pole 18. The excited magnet 8 acts on the relays 6 and 7, breaking the connection 11, which opens the path to the lamp 12. On the other side the path of the current is similar.

The speaking circuit.The speaking circuit is from the pole 19, through wire 20, induction coils 30, wire 27 around magnet 28 through wire 29 to the ring 31 of the plug. Thence through the pole 4 j ack, line conductor ;1fto the telephone A and back through theline conductor 2, pole 3 tip 32 of the plug, through wire 33 to the induction coils 30, and conductors 34. and l6to the pole 18 of the current source. On the side of telephone B, the path ,is through wire 20 as before, throughthe induction coils 30 through the wire-35, around thewindings of the magnet 36, through the operative switch 37 and 40, the switch '37, the wire 41, through the v coils 30 and conductors 34 and 16 to the pole 18. When the current in either of these last circuits is broken by the subscriber hanging up "his receiver, the magnet 28 or 36, being no longer excited, the connections through 22 will be broken by the relay dropping, and the current to the test-ring 5 will of the spring pass through wires 20 and 43 through lamp 42 and wire 23, thus indicating by the lighting of this lamp that the subscriber has hung up his receiver.

The signal that a coin has been deposited, is conveyed to the operator at the central station in the usual manner over the line wires 1 and 2, the operators receiver 45 and transmitter 46 being connected to the induction coils 30 and switch 37 in any desired manner, so that the sound of the signal can be heard. The sound is produced by a bell 48, or other resonant device being struck by a hammer 49 actuated by an electro-magnet 50. The windings of the magnet may connect to one of the line wires, such as 2, by a wire 51. A pivoted groundedarm 52 may be swung down by a coin placed thereon so as to engage a contact 53 which connects to the electro-magnet by the wire 54. The current passes from the line wire around the magnet and then to the ground because this course offers less resistance than the metalreturn. Instead of this ground return, the wire 55 may connect to the line wire 1, in which casethe resistance in the instrument A must be greater than that of the electro-magnet 50 and its connections. If desired, a separate local battery C may be employed, as shown in Fig.2 15,'to which battery may be connected the wires .51 and 55. The operation of this device will be the same as that just described.

The detectin and circuit closing mechanism is shown y Figs. 4 to 12 inclusive and consists of a unit for each denomination of coins to be used, those shown being for nick-., els, dimes and quarters respectively. "Each unit is constructed on the principle that a disk of any selected metal and of given diameter and thickness will have resiliency and weight differing from those of a similar disk of all other metals.

Referring now to Fi 4, a plate 56 is there shown with ribs 5 58 and 59. Normally, a fiat plate 60 (Fig. 8) is secured against these ribs and holds the coins in their courses. A permanent magnet is mountedin the path of the coins which enter at 66, and causes all disks of iron or steel to drop down to the rib 59, on which they will run down to the chute 67 and thusout 'ofthe machine.

Mounted on a pivot 68 is a small movable abutment 69, which is substantially a weighing device, having a heavy front end 70 which normally rests against a stop 71. See

Fig. 11. A spring 72 may be mounted on this heavy end and when the coin rolls oil the magnet 65 onto this spring, its progress is momentarily retarded, because of the vibration of the spring. This vibrationcauses the coin to rebound against the shoulder 73, after which the coin falls onto the slo ing end 74. Because of this engagement 0 the coin with the shoulder 73, it will roll at a predetermined speed down the sloping end 74, causing this end to swing down. The com strikes the point .61 which causes the coin to rebound and strike the shoulder 75.

Should it be of improper weight and diam-- eter, its movement down the sloping end 74 and its engagement with the projections 61 and 75 will be such that it will pass over and beyond the shoulder 7 8, and therefore fall to the chute 67.

A coin or disk with more or less weight or resilience than the particular coin for which this mechanism is constructed will not substantially stop on the point 61, which is necessary for it to pass through the opening 77, but will pass beyond the rear end of the rib 76 and fall down the chute 67 The point 61 and the shoulders 73 and 75 must be of proper size and the movable abutment 69 must be correctly constructed to get accurate results. The size of this device will vary with the different coins that are to pass through it. The portion 79 of the plate 56 is also beveled to facilitate the passage of the coin.

After the coin passes through the opening 77in the plate 56 to the side shown in Fig. 5, it is guided by ribs 80, 81 and 82. A fiat plate 83 (Fig. 8) is secured against these ribs, and with them, forms a narrow chan- V nel in which the coin. will travel. The plates shown in Figs. 5 and 7 are much alike, the former being constructed for nickels and the latter for quarters, both being shown to indicate how alike they are.

Below the incline76, on a pivot 85, is mounted a contact member. 86, to which is secured the spring-contact 87. The heavier rear end of the member 86 normally rests onthe stop 105. The plate 56 is grounded or connected to one of the wires of a battery circuit. A second contact 88-is carried by a plate 89, mounted on a block of insulation 90. A wire 91 connects to this plate 89 and to the particular electro-mag'net which is to signal the deposit of a coin. When the coin falls on the movable contact member 86, it

will roll forward, depressing the contact 87 I a coin. The plate 93 has pivoted to it the movable abutment 94, and has an opening 95 through which the coin passes. The rib 96 guides the coin which falls onto the pivoted member'97, to which is secured a contact 98. A plate 99 is mounted on the insu lating material 100 and carries contacts 101 and 102. A second pivoted member 103 also carries a spring-contact 104, and has secured to it a light spring 106 which causes the coin which falls onto the spring to vibrate in such a manner as to retard its speed and allow a suflicient interval of time between .the separation of the contacts 98 and 101 and the engagement of the contacts 102 and 104 to be readily noticed by the operator. The spring will finally cause the coin to roll forward. When the coin falls onto the pivoted member 97, the contacts 98 and 101 will engage and an electric impulse will pass over'the wire 108. The coin then rolls forward and off the member 97, falling onto the member 103. The circuit is broken by the heavy rear end of the member 97 swinging down into contact with the stop 105.

The rib 109 guides the coin. The coin rolls forward on the member 103, under the influence of the spring 106, and elevates the heavier rear end until the contacts 104 and 102 engage, causing a second electric impulse to travel over the wire 108. The coin then rolls 03. onto the rib 109, and the member 103 resumes its original position, resting on thelug 110. Flanges or strips 111 extend along the bottom edges of these plates 56 and 93 and have slots at their front ends through which the coins may fall, as indicated in Fig. 5. A plate 62 is secured to the ribs 96, 109 and 111, as shown in Fig. 8.

In Fig. 7, the construction is similar to that of Figs. 4 and 5, slight'changes being made to accommodate larger coins. When the front end of the pivoted member 113 is depressed, an electric impulse passes over the wire 114 because of the engagement of the contacts 115 and 116. This plate 117 also has a flange or rib 118'by means of which it may be mounted on the plate 119 of the inclosing box or case. See Fig. 8.

The flanges 111 and 118 are secured to this 122. Mounted on'therplate 119 is' a bracket.

123 which supports a pair of electromagnets 124, whose armature 125 is pivoted at its lower end and is furnished with a ham mer 126 at its upper end to strike the gong 121.v A second bracket 128 on this plate 119 supports the pair of electro-magnets 130,

whose armature 131 is pivoted to the bracket and also has a hammer 132 to strike the bell 122. It will be understood that this gong and bell are merely examples of what may be done, as one or the other may be omitted and either may be duplicated, and both or either may be taken as the signaling device and dimes devices join and lead to the striking mechanism of the bell. Thus the bell will be sounded twice for each dime that passes through its particular testing mechanism- A wire 51 connects to the opposite poles of the electro-magnets and to the current source. The vibrations of the gong and bell are carried to the telephone transmitter 134 by means of the rigid yokes 135, which connect to the side 136 of the box containing the testing devices. The resonant members, that is, the gong and bell are thus rigidly connected to the telephone instrument.

The coins might'be inserted in the respective proper slots 66, butit is desirable that a single openin be had to receive all the coins. A selector 64 is therefore placed on the cover 138 of the case, which selector has a lateral opening 139 into which the coins are inserted- The sides 140 and 141 of this se lector separate toward the front, and be tween them, and extending up from the bottom 147, are partitions 142 and 143. The top 144 is formed with guide ribs 145 and 146, to hold the nickel and quarters away from the side 140. This side is on an incline at the opening 139 so that the dimes will lie flat against it as they roll down the bottom 147 and thus pass between this side 140 and the partition 142 to the opening 148. The top curves down until it connects to the front edge of the bottom and the ribs 145 and 146 and at about the beginning of the partitions 142 and 143 respectively. The mckels will run down the inclined bottom, guided by the ribs 145, and then. between the partitions 142 and 143 and will finally drop through the opening 149, while the quarters Wlll be guided by the rib 146, the side 141 and the partition 143 to the opening 150.

When the desired party has been reached by the operator, the calling subscriber is told to deposit a certain amount of money in the box. As the coins are introduced into the selecting mechanism, they will move to their respective testing and signaling devices and a gong, bell, or other signal Will be incited by its respective electro-magnet. This will be heard by the operator, and the denomination of the individual coins will be clearly distinguished. When the operator is satisfied that proper payment has been made, a proper connection with the called Instrument will be made in the usual manner.

SIS

When .a light or wrong coin or a disk of metal diifering in any respect from the proper coins is introduced, it will travel through the selector to a detector, but will be then caused to passto the chute 67 and thence out of the machine.

Having now explained my construction, what I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1 4 1. In a signal device for telephone paystations, the combination of a telephone transmitter and a rigid support for the same comprising a case having a back-board, a bell secured to said back-board, a coin guide in the case, electrically operated means for striking the bell, line wires extendingfrom the pay station to the current source at the central station,,a normally openelectric circuit connecting said line wires, and said striking means, means for closing the circuit, said means comprising a pivoted contact member having a heavy end and a light end, a spring contact secured to one end, an abutment upon which the heavy end normally rests, and a contact with which the spring contact is adapted to engage when the lighter end of the member is depressed. by

the weight of a coin. I

2. In a signal device for telephone paystations, the combination of a telephone transmitter and a case for an electrically operated signal rigidly attached to said transmitter, a'signal therein, a central station and a current source at the central statiomwline Wires leading from the central station to the pay station, normally open circuits at the pay station between the line wires and the Copies this patent may be obtained for signal operating device, means for closing said circuits, sald means comprising a pivoted contact member having a heavy; rear end and a front end, a spring contact secured to the front end, an abutment upon which the rear end of the contact member normally rests, and a second contact with which the spring contact is adapted'to engage when the lighter end of the contact member is depressed by the Weight of a coin.

3. In a signal device for telephone pay stations, the combination of a telephone transmitter, a signal, electrically operable means to sound the signal, a central station and a line wire connecting'it to the trans"- mitter, a current source at the central station, and a normally open circuit connecting to the line wire and the signal sounder adapted to be closedso that a current over the line wire will cause the signal to be sounded at the pay station, means for closing said circuit, said means comprising a pivoted contact member having a heavy end and a light end, a spring contact secured to one end, an abutment upon which the heavy end normally rests, and a contact with which the spring contact is adapted to engage when the lighter end of the member is depressed by the weight of a coin.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GILBERT CHRISTIAN.

Witnesses:

EDWARD N. PAGELSEN, ELIZABETH M. BROWN.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

